The RS Aero Western Championships took place this past weekend at the beautiful Blessington Sailing Club, drawing a small but competitive fleet of 10 Aeros to contest the title. Hosted as part of the RS Fest – which also included the RS400, RS200, and Feva classes – the event was a fantastic showcase of competitive sailing, excellent race management, and emerging talent in the Aero fleet.
Day 1 – Close Racing in a Gusty Breeze
Saturday brought a solid breeze with a forecast of 16 knots gusting 20, and Race Officer Dave Mulally ran three excellent races in an oscillating SSW wind that gradually eased as the day wore on. The Aero 7s delivered thrilling action on the water, with Thomas Chaix, Noel Butler, Rob Howe, and Paul Phelan crossing tacks and trading positions in the opening race. Noel took line honours, followed by Thomas and Rob, but it was Sophie Crosbie – sailing her Aero 5 rig with extraordinary precision and pace – who claimed victory on PY handicap, a sign of things to come.
The intense battles continued into Races 2 and 3, with both Thomas and Noel taking unplanned swims, reminding everyone just how challenging the conditions were. Sophie continued to sail fast and smart, placing herself firmly in the hunt for the overall title.
Day 2 – Tight Battles and a New Young Star
Sunday saw the welcome arrival of 10-year-old Ben Chaix – very possibly the youngest Aero sailor in the world – who joined the fleet in a 5 rig and impressed everyone with his composure and skill. Ben recently competed in the French Nationals which was won by his dad Thomas along with the Irish National Championships a week later! A fine example of the RS family friendly ethos!
The on-the-water battles continued to be incredibly close, with Noel, Rob, and Thomas finishing mere seconds apart in two of the three races, each taking a race win for line honours. But it was Sophie Crosbie who continued her exceptional run of form. Sailing with maturity beyond her years, she won all but one race on corrected time, securing the overall title with a commanding scoreline of four firsts and a second.
Second place Noel Butler (NYC) with event sponsor Kenny Rumball, RS Sailing Ireland.
Event sponsor Kenny Rumball, RS Sailing Ireland, with 3rd place Thomas Chaix (NYC). Photo: Noel Butler
Behind Sophie, the fight for the podium was fierce. Noel, Thomas, and Rob were neck and neck throughout, with Paul Phelan not far behind. The competitiveness of the racing highlighted the depth of talent in the Aero class and set the stage for more excitement ahead.
Young Talent and a Growing Fleet
It was fantastic to see new faces in the fleet and to welcome sailors like Eva Spain, who also competed in a 5 rig and had a hugely enjoyable event. The Aero class in Ireland is thriving, with an increasing number of young sailors joining the ranks. Sophie Crosbie's dominant performance – following her fourth place finish at the recent Nationals in Greystones – is a powerful signal of the opportunity and appeal the class offers to ambitious young sailors, particularly women. She is a brilliant role model and a standout example of the class's growing inclusivity and youth appeal.
The next RS Aero event is the Southern Championships in Baltimore on 6–7 September. Meanwhile, several Irish sailors will be heading to Quiberon, France, for the World and Youth Championships at the end of July. Howth Yacht Club will host the 2027 Aero European Championships.
